So, how much do board games really cost? If you want to spice up game night, the bank account must also cooperate. As fun as board games are, they don’t always come cheap. A good game can cost you anywhere from 40 to 100 dollars, or even more!
But don’t be so quick to give up hope. The world of tabletop gaming comes with hidden gems that bring all the fun at wallet-friendly prices–the budget has been saved! Here are 7 cheapest board games you and your friends can try out.
7. Trails of Tucana – 22$
Source: Amazon
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Players: 1-8
Age guide: 8+
Time to play: 15 minutes
Complexity: 1.26/5
Trails of Tucana is a flip and write game. Despite its short playing time, the game offers an incredible depth of gameplay that might be overlooked by some players. Each player is given a map of the island Tucana, with varying village positions.
Players take turns drawing two terrain tiles and then carving a path to those locations on the map. You can score points by connecting harbors and the maximum number of locations possible on the map. However, it won’t be a walk in the park, as some terrain cards are not readily available, requiring you to meticulously plan your routes for success. For $22, Trails of Tucana is a satisfying purchase.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| ✅ Engaging Route-Building Mechanics ✅ Easy to Learn ✅ Replayability ✅ Compact and Portable ✅ Solo Play Option | ❌ Limited Player Interaction ❌ Simplicity Might Not Suit Hardcore Gamers |
6. Kingdomino – 21$
Source: Amazon
Players: 2-4
Age guide: 8+
Time to play: 15-25 minutes
Complexity: 1.22/5
Kingdomino brings a fun and modern twist to the classic game of Dominoes. As a lord, you will have to expand your kingdom using artistically crafted tiles that mimic terrains. Players take turns placing down tiles, making sure at least one side connects to a matching terrain type.
The game ends when a person completes a 5×5 grid with the winner decided based on a count system. For $21, Kingdomino sure doesn’t disappoint.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| ✅ Innovative Domino-Tile Mechanics ✅ Quick Gameplay ✅ Family-Friendly ✅ Educational Value ✅ Beautiful Artwork | ❌ Limited Depth for Strategy Veterans ❌ Possible Repetitiveness |
5. Forbidden Island – 20$
Source: Amazon
Players: 2-4
Age guide: 10+
Time to play: 30 minutes
Complexity: 1.74/5
Forbidden Island is an immersive co-op game where players must work together to keep the island from sinking. You and your friends will move pawns around the board, racing against time to collect all the hidden treasures.
The game manages to show off some meticulously crafted physical pieces which is astonishing for a game with this price tag. All in all, Forbidden Island is a good starting point for someone looking to delve in the co-op genre, that too for only 20$.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| ✅ Cooperative Gameplay ✅ Thematic and Immersive ✅ Variable Difficulty Levels ✅ Compact and Portable ✅ Educational Aspects | ❌ Can Be Challenging for Younger Players ❌ Possibility of “Alpha Gamer” Syndrome |
4. Ticket to Ride: New York – 19$
Source: Amazon
Players: 2-4
Age guide: 8+
Time to play: 10-15 minutes
Complexity: 1.24/5
Ticket to Ride: New York is a smaller version of the immensely popular strategy board game Ticket To Ride. Like the original, players compete to claim taxi routes across New York using cards. Although this edition is a much more compact version of the game, it’s just as engaging.
The game starts off slow but before you know it everyone’s competing to put their cards down. A round lasts for 20 minutes so you can play multiple times during game night. Best of all, the price of Ticket to Ride: New York is peanuts compared to the original at 19$.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| ✅ Fast-Paced and Streamlined ✅ Compact Design ✅ Simple to Learn ✅ Strategic Yet Accessible ✅ Iconic New York Theme | ❌ Less Depth Than Original ❌ Limited Replayability |
3. Welcome to the Dungeon – 15$
Source: Amazon
Players: 2-4
Age guide: 10+
Time to play: 30 minutes
Complexity: 1.23/5
Welcome to the Dungeon dares the bravest of the brave to test their mettle against a dungeon full of monsters. The game is played in two phases. In the first one, each player selects a monster from the deck, and decides whether they go in the dungeon or not.
Once everyone has created a deadly line-up, players can take turns proving their mettle. You will have to go through the entire deck of monsters without dying. At only 15$, Welcome to the Dungeon is a thrilling strategic game and an affordable purchase.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| ✅ Engaging Risk Management Mechanics ✅ Quick Rounds ✅ Easy to Learn and Teach ✅ Portable and Compact ✅ Unique Theme and Artwork | ❌ Limited Strategic Depth ❌ Potential for Player Elimination |
2. Star Wars Jabba’s Palace – 15$
Source: Amazon
Players: 2-6
Age guide: 10+
Time to play: 20 minutes
Complexity: 1.29/5
Based on the iconic Love Letters, Star Wars Jabba’s Palace brings the Star Wars franchise to the tabletop in a way never before. Players will be competing as Jabba’s crew members and as members of the Rebel Alliance.
You can find all your Star Wars favorites on cards including Like Skywalker, Jabba the Hutt, Salacious Crumb and more. Your goal is to gather a certain number of victory tokens, which varies depending upon the number of players you have playing. Safe to say, Star Wars Jabba’s Palace is worth opening your wallet for.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| ✅ Rich Star Wars Theme ✅ Strategic Gameplay ✅ High-Quality Components ✅ Variety of Playing Styles ✅ Engaging for Fans | ❌ Complex Rules ❌ Longer Playtime |
1. Coup – 14$
Source: Amazon
Players: 2-6
Age guide: 13+
Time to play: 15 minutes
Complexity: 1.41/5
Coup is a fun game of bluff available for only 14$. As the head of the family, you will need to bribe your way to power and knock out all the other families in the process. The only way to do that is to end up as the last player with influence in the game, which is determined by the number of face-down character cards you have at the end of the game.
You will have to announce your character before performing the ability associated with it. Your opponent can accuse you of lying and if you don’t reveal the character, you lose a card. Priced at 14$, you can not go wrong with Coup.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| ✅ Stunning graphics ✅ Deep storyline ✅ Vast open world ✅ Challenging puzzles ✅ Iconic characters | ❌ Requires significant time investment ❌ Occasional frame rate drops |
Summing Up the 7 Cheapest Board Games
So, these were our top 7 picks for the cheapest board games. Whether you’re in the market for a new strategy game or looking for a fresh title without breaking the bank, this list has something for everyone. Didn’t see something that should be on the list? Feel free to drop us a suggestion!
Hopefully, this article and our other content created a positive portal into the realm of board games. Also, you can read 28 Must Have Board Game Accessories and Upgrades! for more.
FAQs
What is the most used board game?
Monopoly is the most used board game. With 500 million players around the world, the board game holds the Guinness World Record for being played by the most number of people in the world.
What is the oldest board game?
The Royal Game of Ur originated 4600 years ago in old Mesopotamia, making it the oldest playable board game in the world. To play the game, two players must race to reach the end of the board by moving their pieces across the board.
Are board games worth the money?
Yes, board games are worth the money. If you were smart enough to buy classic board games back in the day, chances are they’re worth hundreds of dollars today. In fact, some can even go for thousands of dollars depending upon the rarity of the board game and its condition.
Hamza, your post really resonated with me, especially your point about mindful living. It reminded me of the time I lived in a Zen monastery in Japan for a year, where I was introduced to the concept. It was a transformative experience that has greatly influenced my daily life. I wonder, have you ever tried incorporating Zen practices into your routine? Also, have you thought about exploring the impact of technology on mindfulness? It’s a double-edged sword that could add another layer to your discussion. Keep up the good work, I look forward to your next post! 🙏🌿